Beaver ~ The platypus has a strong tail like a beaver.
Bird ~ The platypus lays eggs like a bird.
Duck ~ The platypus has a bill and webbed feet like a duck.
Mole ~ The platypus can borrow in the ground like a mole.
Otter ~ The platypus has fur like an otter.
Snake ~ The platypus shoots venom like a snake.

Where Does the Platypus Live?The platypus lives only in the eastern
part of Australia and on the island of Tasmania. A reference map
has been provided below to help your child shade the correct regions of
Australia.

BreathingA platypus can stay underwater for 2 to
3 minutes. Its nostrils are on the top of its bill so it can stay
under the water and breathe at the same time! For this minit book
have your child write how long the platypus can stay under the
water. Then, get a stopwatch and see how long you child can hold
his/her breath. Record your results under the appropriate
flap. In the center of the book write a little about the bill of
the platypus and how he can breath under the water.

Feeding FactsThe platypus is awake for about 12
hours and spends this time swimming and searching for food. A
platypus can eat its own body weight in food in one night. Its bill works
as a highly tuned receptor picking up the weak electric fields of the shrimps
and worms it eats; it can even detect prey under mud and rocks.

BurrowingThe platypus digs and lives in a burrow
underground near the water. The burrow can be up to 60 feet
long. A platypus lays her eggs in the burrow.

Platypus FactsA platypus lives up to 17 years in
captivity. It has dark brown fur with light brown hair on its
belly. A platypus can grow to up to 2 feet from head to
tail. The Platypus has webbed feet to help it swim. The
platypus weight from 2.2 to 4.8 pounds.
Its short legs have strong claws and webbed feet. The webbing can be
rolled up into its palms to free its claws for digging.
Platypus BabiesThe mother platypus usually lays her sticky,
soft-skinned eggs in pairs. More rarely one or three eggs are
laid. When three eggs are laid, they are attached in a triangle.
She keeps the eggs in
the burrow and keeps them warm on her belly and covered with her
tail.

The babies, called puggles, are born blind and without fur, within two weeks. A week or
so later, the babies suckle milk from their mother, not from the nipples but
from tufts of hair. The babies drink milk off of their mother’s fur for four to five
months. The platypus is not an ordinary mammal, it’s different. It’s labeled a
monotreme.

Unique Australian AnimalsHave your child identify some animals
that are unique to Australia. You can include as much or as
little information as you would like about these animals. Some of
the animals are kangaroo, koala, dingo, wombat, Tasmanian devil, and
green tree frog. More information about each of these animals can
be found here.

All in the FamilyWhat other animal is like the
platypus? The spiny anteater of course! The spiny anteater
is also known as an echidna. These animals are monotremes
(egg-laying mammals). Monotremes live only in Australia and New
Guinea.

Possible Resources

Video
Educational Favorites Duckbill Platapus

Books

Non-fictionPlatypus! by Ginjer L. Clarke A Platypus, Probably by Sneed B. Collard IIIPlatypus by Joan Short, Jack Green, and Bettina Bird
FictionPlatypus by Chris RiddellPlatypus and the Lucky Day by Chris Riddell
General WebsitesEnchanted Learning's information about monotremes